July Media Moves

PR Newswire’s Audience Research Department continually updates our Agility Influencer Targeting contact database. The MEDIAware newsletter, published by the team each month and featuring media news and job changes in the last month, is now available. Here is a sampling of this month’s edition:

Ann Curry Co-Host of NBC’s The Today Show (today.msnbc.msn.com/) announced her departure on Thursday, June 28th. She shifted into the Co-Host role last June after Meredith Vieira left the show. Recently, The Today Show has experienced a drop in ratings giving their rival at ABC’sGood Morning America ample opportunity to take over the number one spot for morning show ratings. Curry will remain at NBC and head a new team that will cover stories from around the globe. She will anchor prime-time specials and report for The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Rock Center, Dateline and MSNBC, collectively. Her replacement is Savannah Guthrie. Guthrie was the Co-Host of the 9 o’clock hour of The Today Show and frequently filled in for Curry. She began her new co-host role Friday, June 29th. You can watch Curry’s departing words here: tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=739524

Just as former L.A. Laker Magic Johnson aspired to greatness on the basketball court, he is now hoping for the same success with his new venture – a cable network called “Aspire” (www.aspire.tv).The network is based in Atlanta (more specifically College Park) and was started in conjunction with gmc TV (Gospel Music Television). Programming includes a mix of family-friendly movies, films, documentaries, comedy and music as well a two-hour block of original, independent black features. The only specific programs mentioned, but not confirmed at press time were “Soul Train” and “I Spy.” Johnson has already lined up a number of exclusive, advertising deals with national brands such as Coca Cola, Wal-Mart, Nationwide Insurance, L’Oreal and Chrysler. Aspire’s direct competition includes the already existing minority-oriented entities of BET, Bounce (also in Atlanta), TV One and Centric. Twitter at twitter.com/tvASPIRE or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AspireTV.

A KATU-TV news helicopter helped Portland police arrest a suspected bank robber on June 20th. The suspect allegedly robbed a bank in Washington and drove across state lines into Oregon. Police on the ground lost sight of the suspect, but were able to relocate him by watching KATU while communicating with the station’s assignment desk about the location chase.

Heads up DC political journalists: Politico (www.politico.com/)is expanding and is looking to add 20 people to its editorial staff. The success of their Politico Pro paid service has spawned this need for more quality content.

Check out Hudson Reporter’s newest magazine – 07030. Hoboken’s newest semiannual lifestyle magazine ((www.hudsonreporter.com/pages/07030_hobok…), covers everything from celebrities to food and all in between. The magazine will offer regular highlighted features of “How We Work” and “How We Live” aspects of Hoboken. Kate Rounds is the Editor-in-Chief and can be reached at 07030@hudsonreporter.com.

The G. Gordon Liddy Show will go off the air at the end of July. G. Gordon Liddy, who is 81, is retiring from the show but will still be a Commentator on the Radio America network. Replacing G. Gordon in the 10:00 a.m. – Noon spot on Radio America will be Economics talker Peter Schiff (twitter.com/PeterSchiff).G. Gordon was part of the Watergate scandal in the Nixon administration who had five operatives break into the Democratic headquarters. The break-in led to the demise of President Nixon and was captured in the movie and film “All The President’s Men” written by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post Reporters at the time. G. Gordon spent over four years in prison for his part in the break-in, but he came back and became an expert on how things really work in politics, defense and at the White House.

CBS affiliate KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, CA took a unique approach in an effort to fill an open reporter position by conducting an on-air job interview. No word yet on who was chosen for the position.

We are sad to announce that Howie Chizek, a mainstay in Ohio radio has passed away. Howie died while on a trip taking underprivileged youths to Disney World. Howie has been in radio for 34 years and was still working at his show on WNIR-FM in Akron before his death. Howie was also the Cleveland Cavaliers Public Address Announcer at one time when they played in Richfield, Ohio.

U-T San Diego is following the lead of the Los Angeles Times by launching a pay wall. Non-subscription users will be required to participate in an online or print subscription after 15 monthly article views.

Congratulations to WATE-TV, Channel 6 in Knoxville, TN for winning two 2012 Edward R. Murrow awards. One was in the category of Best Use of Video in a small market. The other was for Best Video News Series in a small market with its piece on “Mission to Africa.”

Charlotte area residents will be familiar with the new afternoon drive team at WBT-AM/FM. Brad Krantz previously teamed with Richard Spires on WBT as recently as 2003. Now he’s back and teaming with Britt Whitmire. Whitmire arrives from various North Carolina stations including WPTF-AM and WSJS-AM. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/bradandbritt.

CNN International has launched a new program. “CNN Newsroom International” focuses on – what else? – international news and events. It is hosted by Suzanne Malveaux along with Hala Gorani, Michael Holmes and Richard Quest. The show airs 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. weekdays.

MSNBC debuted its new program called “The Cycle” on June 25th. (twitter.com/thecyclemsnbc) It airs weekdays at 3:00 p.m. EST. It is an ensemble show featuring four hosts that include conservative commentator S.E. Cupp, author Toure, Salon.com writer Steve Kornacki and former Congressional candidate Krystal Ball. All hosts will appear on every episode with each person taking turns heading the discussions. “The Cycle” is replacing “The Dylan Ratigan” show which aired its last episode on June 22nd after Ratigan decided not to renew his expiring contract with MSNBC.

Artnet Magazine has ceased publication after 16 years. It was the first online art magazine to exist. Unfortunately, the magazine was never able to make a profit. There are plans for its archives to be available on Artnet.com. Its Editors: Walter Robinson, Rachel Corbett and Emily Nathan are currently looking for new opportunities.

Los Angeles Times Business Reporter Ken Bensinger wins the prestigious Loeb Award, business journalism’s highest honor. Bensinger received the award for a three-part series that he wrote on the ruthless used-car business called “Wheels of Fortune”. www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-award-201…